American and European roulette have the same exciting core objective: predict where the ball will land, place a wager, and watch the wheel decide the result. Both versions offer familiar inside and outside bets, use the same broad payout range from 1:1 to 35:1, and can deliver a fast-paced casino experience.
The important difference is found on the wheel itself. European roulette has 37 pockets, numbered 0 through 36. American roulette has 38 pockets, adding a second green pocket marked 00. That one additional pocket has a meaningful effect on the mathematical value of every standard wager.
For players who want the strongest long-term value from the same basic roulette game, European roulette is generally the more favorable choice. Its single-zero layout produces a lower house edge, a higher theoretical return to player, and, at some tables, special rules that further improve the outcome of even-money bets.
American and European Roulette at a Glance
| Feature | European Roulette | American Roulette |
|---|---|---|
| Number of wheel pockets | 37 | 38 |
| Green pockets | 0 | 0 and 00 |
| Standard house edge | About 2.70% | About 5.26% |
| Standard theoretical RTP | About 97.30% | About 94.74% |
| Standard payout range | 1:1 to 35:1 | 1:1 to 35:1 |
| La Partage or En Prison | Available at some tables | Typically unavailable |
| Announced call bets | Common on French-style layouts | Not a standard feature |
| Five-number bet | Not available | Available |
The Wheel Layout Is the Defining Difference
Both roulette variants use the numbers 1 through 36, with 18 red numbers and 18 black numbers. The main structural distinction is the number of zero pockets.
- European roulette: numbers 1 to 36 plus one green 0 pocket.
- American roulette: numbers 1 to 36 plus two green pockets, 0 and 00.
The zero pockets are especially important because they do not belong to red or black, odd or even, or the low and high number groups. When a zero lands, standard outside bets lose. In American roulette, there are two green pockets that can produce this result rather than one.
Wheel-number sequencing also differs between the two styles. However, the extra 00 pocket is the difference that matters most when comparing probabilities, expected returns, and overall value.
Why the Extra 00 Changes the House Edge
The house edge represents the casino's built-in mathematical advantage over a large number of wagers. It does not predict the result of one spin. A player can win on any individual bet, but the house edge helps explain the average long-term cost of play.
In European roulette, the single zero creates a standard house edge of approximately 2.70%. In American roulette, the 0 and 00 pockets raise the standard house edge to approximately 5.26%.
That means the American version's standard house edge is almost double the European version's. Since the usual payouts remain the same, the second zero reduces the player's chance of success without increasing the reward for a winning standard bet.
House Edge Formula for a Straight-Up Bet
A straight-up bet selects one exact number and pays 35:1. The player receives 35 units of profit for a one-unit wager when the chosen number wins, plus the original stake is returned.
On a European wheel, a single number has a probability of 1 in 37. The expected value of a one-unit straight-up wager is:
(35 × 1/37) - (1 × 36/37) = -1/37
This equals approximately -2.70%.
On an American wheel, a single number has a probability of 1 in 38:
(35 × 1/38) - (1 × 37/38) = -2/38
This equals approximately -5.26%.
The same principle applies across standard inside and outside bets. The extra 00 changes the odds, while the standard payout schedule remains unchanged.
Return to Player: European Roulette Offers Higher Theoretical Value
Return to player, often shortened to RTP, is the theoretical percentage of total stakes returned to players over a very large number of spins. It is the counterpart to house edge.
- European roulette: approximately 97.30% RTP on standard bets.
- American roulette: approximately 94.74% RTP on standard bets.
For example, across a very large amount of total standard wagering, a 97.30% theoretical RTP means that roughly $97.30 is returned for every $100 wagered, on average. A 94.74% RTP means roughly $94.74 is returned per $100 wagered, on average. Actual short-term results can vary dramatically, but the underlying mathematics consistently favor the single-zero game.
This is why European roulette is often the first choice for players comparing otherwise similar roulette tables. It provides more favorable odds while preserving the familiar bets, payouts, and atmosphere that make roulette popular.
Standard Roulette Bets and Payouts
American and European roulette generally use the same standard betting layout. Players can choose precise number bets with larger payouts or wider-coverage bets with more frequent potential wins. The payout structure is broadly identical in both variants.
| Bet Type | Numbers Covered | Typical Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Straight-up | 1 number | 35:1 |
| Split | 2 numbers | 17:1 |
| Street | 3 numbers | 11:1 |
| Corner | 4 numbers | 8:1 |
| Six line | 6 numbers | 5:1 |
| Dozen | 12 numbers | 2:1 |
| Column | 12 numbers | 2:1 |
| Red or black | 18 numbers | 1:1 |
| Odd or even | 18 numbers | 1:1 |
| Low or high | 18 numbers | 1:1 |
Inside bets cover fewer numbers and offer higher payouts, while outside bets cover larger portions of the layout and pay at lower rates. Neither betting category changes the standard house edge by itself. The version of the wheel, especially whether it has one zero or two, is the more important value consideration.
European Roulette's Special Rules: La Partage and En Prison
Some European roulette tables, especially tables following French roulette conventions, offer special rules for even-money bets. These rules apply when a player wagers on red or black, odd or even, or low or high, and the ball lands on zero.
La Partage
Under La Partage, the player receives half of an even-money stake back when the ball lands on zero. For a $10 red bet, for example, a zero result returns $5 instead of losing the full $10.
This rule reduces the house edge on eligible even-money bets from approximately 2.70% to approximately 1.35%. That is a notably player-friendly condition and one of the best reasons to check a European roulette table's rules before playing.
En Prison
Under En Prison, an eligible even-money wager is not immediately lost when zero lands. Instead, the stake remains “in prison” for the next spin. If the next spin wins the same even-money proposition, the original stake is returned with no additional profit. If it loses, the stake is lost.
For single-zero roulette, En Prison also reduces the house edge on qualifying even-money bets to approximately 1.35% when applied in the standard way. It can be an appealing option for players who prefer to keep an even-money stake active after a zero result.
These rules are not automatic at every single-zero table. Players should review the table rules to confirm whether La Partage or En Prison is offered and which bets qualify.
Call Bets and the European Roulette Experience
European and French-style roulette can offer a distinctive set of announced bets, also called call bets. These wagers cover sections of the physical wheel rather than simply a standard rectangular area of the betting layout.
At a live table, an announced bet may be declared to the dealer, who places the relevant chips. In online roulette, the same bets may appear as dedicated buttons or predefined options. Availability varies by casino, game provider, and table format.
Common Announced Bets
- Voisins du Zéro: a group of numbers neighboring zero on the wheel, traditionally played with nine chips across multiple split, corner, and straight-up positions.
- Jeu Zéro: a smaller zero-area section of the wheel, traditionally played with four chips.
- Le Tiers du Cylindre: a wheel sector opposite the zero area, traditionally played with six chips on six splits.
- Orphelins: the “orphan” numbers not included in Voisins du Zéro or Le Tiers du Cylindre, traditionally played with five chips.
These bets add variety for players who enjoy the traditional wheel-based character of European roulette. They do not remove the house edge, but they provide additional ways to structure coverage around specific wheel sectors.
The American Roulette Five-Number Bet
American roulette has one special wager that is not available on a European wheel: the five-number bet, sometimes called the basket bet. It covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3.
Because it covers five pockets on a 38-pocket wheel and traditionally pays 6:1, this bet carries a house edge of approximately 7.89%. That is higher than the 5.26% edge associated with standard American roulette wagers.
Players seeking the strongest mathematical value should recognize that the five-number bet is a high-cost option relative to other roulette wagers. The availability of this bet is a clear illustration of why understanding the layout and wager rules matters before placing chips.
Which Version Works Better With Betting Systems?
Popular roulette betting systems include the Martingale, Fibonacci, D'Alembert, and flat-betting approaches. These methods can help players organize stake sizes, set spending limits, or create a preferred pace of play. They do not, however, change the underlying probabilities or overcome the house edge.
That said, the lower house edge in European roulette provides a better mathematical starting point for any staking approach. A player using the same bet sizes and the same system at a single-zero wheel is generally facing less expected loss over time than at a double-zero wheel.
For players who want a disciplined approach, the most useful habits are practical rather than predictive:
- Choose a single-zero European roulette table when it is available.
- Look for La Partage or En Prison if placing even-money bets.
- Set a clear entertainment budget before play begins.
- Use stake sizes that fit the planned budget and session length.
- Understand that past spins do not determine future spins.
- Avoid treating a betting system as a guarantee of profit.
Each spin is independent. A long sequence of red outcomes does not make black “due,” and a sequence of losses does not increase the probability that the next wager will win. Understanding this helps players make more informed, controlled choices.
How to Choose Between American and European Roulette
The best choice depends on what is available and what kind of experience a player wants. Still, when the two games are offered under comparable conditions, European roulette has a clear value advantage.
Choose European Roulette When You Want
- A lower standard house edge of about 2.70%.
- A higher standard RTP of about 97.30%.
- The possibility of La Partage or En Prison on even-money bets.
- Access to traditional French-style announced bets where available.
- A stronger mathematical foundation for a planned betting budget.
Choose American Roulette When You Want
- The classic double-zero wheel associated with many North American casino floors.
- A table format that is the only available roulette option at a particular venue.
- Access to the distinctive five-number bet, while understanding its higher house edge.
American roulette can still be enjoyable for players who appreciate its traditional format and fast-paced table action. However, its 00 pocket makes it less favorable from an odds perspective. When value is the priority, the single-zero wheel is the more efficient selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do American and European roulette pay the same?
For standard bets, yes. Both versions generally pay from 1:1 on even-money outside bets up to 35:1 on a straight-up number bet. The key difference is that American roulette has an extra 00 pocket, which lowers the chance of winning without improving standard payouts.
Is European roulette always better than American roulette?
From a standard mathematical perspective, European roulette is generally more favorable because its house edge is about 2.70%, compared with about 5.26% for American roulette. A European table with La Partage or En Prison offers even better value on eligible even-money bets.
What is the best roulette bet for lower house edge?
On standard European roulette, all standard bets carry the same approximate 2.70% house edge. If La Partage or En Prison is available, eligible even-money bets such as red or black can have a reduced house edge of approximately 1.35%.
Does a roulette strategy guarantee a win?
No. Betting systems may help structure wagers and manage a budget, but they cannot eliminate the house edge or guarantee a winning result. Each spin is independent, and roulette outcomes remain random.
Why is the American five-number bet considered expensive?
The five-number bet covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3, but its 6:1 payout does not fully reflect the probability of winning. As a result, it carries a house edge of about 7.89%, which is higher than other standard American roulette bets.
Final Takeaway: The Single-Zero Wheel Delivers Better Roulette Value
American and European roulette offer the same essential thrill: select a number or group of numbers, watch the wheel spin, and see where the ball lands. They also share the same familiar standard payouts and a wide selection of inside and outside wagers.
Yet the difference between one zero and two zeros is substantial. European roulette's 37-pocket wheel delivers a standard house edge of about 2.70% and a theoretical RTP of about 97.30%. American roulette's extra 00 pocket raises the standard house edge to about 5.26% and reduces theoretical RTP to about 94.74%.
For players who want the most favorable version of traditional roulette, European roulette is usually the stronger choice. A table that also provides La Partage or En Prison can improve the value of even-money wagers further, making the single-zero format an especially appealing option for informed, budget-conscious play.
